Electrode construction



June 28, 1932. J. N. SMITH ELECTRODE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l H J A f. W5 2 5 2 j t 4 i .Y W. WMUHM- U 1 I W M W M W 4|L L f 2 5 2 June 28, 1932. J. N. SMITH ELECTRODE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llullllllllll lllvlllllvy llllllllll-llll ||||l|vlI|lL Patented June 28, 1932 UNTTF.

FATE? OFFICE JAMES NORMAN SMITH, 0F TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO W'ESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRODE CONSTRUCTION Application filed August 22, 1928.

This invention relates to electrodes and electrolytic cells, especially of the tank type employed in the electrolysis of water.

An object of this invention is to provide an electrode which is low in cost, has high current carrying capacity, and which will be inert to the electrolyte employed and the gas generated.

An electrode embodying these features is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of my electrode;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing a plurality oi electrolyzing elements extending from the electrode;

Fig. 4 is a top view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is another form of electrode;

Fig. 6 is a top view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top view of an electrolytic tank with the cover removed, showing the disposition of the electrodes therein, and

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Though the electrode construction is the main feature of invention herein claimed, it will be described in connection with an electrolytic cell of the tank type in order to show a practical application thereof.

The electrode 1 of my invention comprises a core 2 of highly electrically conductive ma terial, preferably of copper, having a pro tective shell 3 of cast-iron or steel, or other metal more inert to the electrolyte-gas mixture. The shell, especially on the anode, may also be nickel plated.

It is not desirable to use copper without such a protective coating or shell, since the copper is attacked by the electrolyte and oxygen.

The core of copper 2 may be cast with the foraminous electrolyzing elements 4 each attached at one edge thereto and embedded therein, and then the protective shell 3 placed around the core, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; or the electrode may be made by cast- Serial No. 301,256.

ing the stud portion 5 (Fig. 5) of the electrode and casting, sweating or screwing into said stud a copper rod 6; the electrolyzing elements 4 may be cast into said stud or otherwise made integral therewith. The copper core or rod, as the case may be, extends above the protective shell so that it may be passed through the cover 7 of the electrolytic tank 8 and be secured thereto by means of the nuts 8a.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the disposition of my improved electrodes in an electrolytic cell. The foraminous elements 4 are arranged in pairs of elements of the same polarity extending from one side of each electrode so that when two electrodes of opposite polarity are assembled each of a pair of electrolyzing elements on one electrode will embrace a corresponding pair on an opposite electrode. A diaphragm 9 is interposed between adjacent faces of elements of opposite polarity so that the cell is divided into anode and cathode chambers 10 and 11, respectively, and the diaphragm takes a sinusoidal course, with the upper part of the diaphragm embracing the skirt 12a of a gas bell 12 disposed above the anode chamber and communicating therewith.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An electrode comprising a stud having a copper core, and a plurality of foraminous electrolyzing elements extending through one side of said stud and embedded in and integral with said core.

2. An electrode comprising a stud of iron and a copper core, and a plurality of foraminous electrolyzing elements cast into said core.

3. In an electrolytic cell, electrodes of opposite polarity each comprising a stud carrying one electrode terminal and of a metal inert to the electrolyte-gas mixture, said stud forming a protective shell covering a core of metal of high electrical conductivity, and a plurality of electrolyzin elements extending through said stud an embedded in said core and arranged in pairs of elements of the same polarit extending from one electrode between an embracing corresponding pairs of elements extending from the other electrode of opposite polarity in the cell.

4. In an electrolytic cell, electrodes of opposite polarity each comprising a stud carrying one electrode terminal and of a metal inert to the electrolyte-gas mixture, said stud forming a protective shell covering a copper core, and a plurality of foraminous electrolyzing elements each having one end extending through said stud and cast into said core and extending in pairs of separate elements from one electrode between and embracing corresponding pairs of elements extending from the other electrode of opposite polarity in the cell.

5. An electrode comprising a stud of metal inert to electrolyte having its lower portion substantially rectangular in cross-section, a core of high electric capacity positioned in said stud and projecting above the upper portion thereof, providing an electrode terminal, and electrolyzing elements each attached at one edge thereto and integral therewith projecting from one side of the lower portion of said electrode.

6. An electrode adapted for use in an electrolytic cell of the class described, comprising a core of high electrical conductivity, a protective metallic covering enclosing the portion of said core otherwise in contact with the electrolyte-gas mixture of the cell, said covering being of a metal inert to the action of the said electrolyte-gas mixture, and a plurality of foraminous electrolyzing elements each having one end embedded integrally in said core and projecting therefrom I and extending through said covering.

Signed at Toronto, Province of Ontario, in the county of York and Dominion of Canada, this 20th day of August, A. D. 1928.

JAMES NORMAN SMITH. 

